Ameliorations 1.0

I’m on more than a few mailing lists that are user support oriented (everyone on the list helps everyone else if they can) and one of the biggest issues I see with people using software aren’t special use cases, which for most of the mailing lists I’m on make up a very small minority of the posts, but are installation issues. They download the software, think they have installed it, are told to reboot the computer and either something strange happens (like the computer hangs on shutdown) or they reboot and cannot find the install file they just downloaded.

I have a sneaking suspicion that these users fall into one of two categories.

Category B-One: The n00b

These are the users that buy a computer, are told amazing things about their capabilities, and when they get home they expect the computer to do everything include making the coffee. Even after many years of computer use, the n00b never gets out of this mode of thinking and often runs into problems with the most basic of tasks if for some reason something doesn’t go as expected. This type of user exists everywhere. Usenet. Forums. Mailing lists. You might even have some n00bs in your own home! Of course I do not use this term in the pejorative (although n00bs definitely task my patience more often than not) but only to describe a type of computer user.

Category B-Two: The neophyte

The neophyte, or newb (note difference in spelling), is someone who just bought a computer, has been told all the wonderful things their computer can do (and probably only believes half of those claims (and rightly so, making coffee is a non-standard feature folks!)), get home and begin using it. They initially have the same amount of problems as the n00b, but over time they actually learn how to use their computer and soon progress to asking questions only when there are problems in special cases (like they are trying to work with a large spreadsheet that is doing multiple calculations and are trying to split it up between multiple sheets while keeping the calculations linked) or they cannot find a solution anywhere on the net.

For category one users, there is nothing to be done accept to have patience with them. They are never going to learn because they think or have been told they don’t have to learn. They have been trained and told so many times that their computer can do everything for them without thinking that when they sit in front of the computer, they stop thinking.

For category two users (the category I think most regulars on a support list wish everyone would become), there definitely still has to be patience for their neophyte age, but a warm welcome to the club once they have reached that plateau where they are ready and willing to help others. Of course upon reaching that plateau, we also hope that they do not become so enamored with their accomplishment that they become one of the next two categories of users.

Category C-One: 31337 h4×0rz

Someone who has become so enamored with their own successes and the ease with which they came, forget where they started and that everyone starts out there. They are haughty, often given to dreaming up of form flames for those who seem too dense to learn anything, and have no care for lesser beings. This kind of behavior is a gateway for the next category.

Category C-Two: The troll

The troll generally has no problems, and if he is a regular on the list generally sticks around only to point out others mistakes (no matter how insignificant or inconsequential they may be), have ardent beliefs about certain things that they think everyone should stick to (and will start and continue discussions on those points) such as what should and should not appear in someone else’s signature line, the use of url shorten-ers, or the benefits of in-line vs. bottom or top posting (I’ve been involved in the latter, but hopefully in a non-confrontational manner while the troll is all about confrontation). Those are just some of the topics a troll will continually bellow about. The best thing to do for a troll is to ignore them and hope they go away or learn to tolerate them.

Neither of the above two categories are very helpful to the first two categories. They cause skewed expectations for users so they are now afraid to join other support lists because of the abuse they received at the hands (indirectly or otherwise, anyone who opens a flame is abused, not just the recipient) of 31337 h4×0rz and trolls.

The most prized of all help on a mailing list, and those who have realistic expectations of what a computer can and cannot do, are those who fall into the following two categories.

Category A-One: The developer

The developer is someone who has major amounts of time providing code to a software project and is considered to be one of the sources of information for the complete ins and outs of any particular piece of software. Often haughty, they do sometimes try to have a humble attitude toward both n00bs and neophytes, while despising (rightly so) the h4×0r and troll. While the view that they now the piece of software like the back of their hand is often unrealistic — they may just work on one particular piece of the entire project — they know where to do for the answer. If you can find humble developers, you’ve truly found people worth emulating and a project worth supporting.

Category A-Two: The expert

While this category of user might not be an actual expert, they have enough experience using whatever software your asking for help with that if they don’t know the answer, they know where to point you. Sometimes they can also seem haughty and intimidating as their first response is to RTFM, a suggestion to read the actual documentation (if the question is about basic features) is quite common because it can not only be illuminating about the issue at hand, but others that might crop up (and now probably won’t because you’ve read the documentation) in the future. This is the type of user that every developer hopes that the neophyte will become, and even has the vague hope that a n00b will someday reach this level too.

What all does this have to do with expectations? A lot, unfortunately.

n00bs expect everything to work automagically with minimal intervention and learning on their part. Life just isn’t like that. It’s a continuous learning experience no matter what you’ve been told. When you download an installation file, it requires you to at the very least click on icons representing the file and to follow instructions printed on your screen. You have to make choices, even if you leave things at the default (there is no such thing as not making a choice). Unfortunately, too many people have the misconception that computers are magical work devices so ingrained to them that it is all but impossible to remove. The C- category of computer users are also in the pickle of having what is unacceptable behavior so ingrained that they do not know any other way of being. I think I fall somewhere outside of all those categories, because I have moments where I’m all of them (except developer, I am not a hacker (in the sense of being a clever programmer)), as much as I hate to admit it.

Computers don’t “just work”. They need input, whether from a human in the form of clicking on a mouse and typing at a keyboard or in the form of a program (which was created by someone most likely typing at a keyboard and/or clicking on a mouse). There also needs to be responsibility for ones actions at all levels. The n00b and neophyte both need to understand that their actions have all sorts of consequences (including unintended ones) whether they are negative or positive. h4×0rz and trolls understand that and try to use it to their own advantage (extended flame wars without them trying and the like). That is simply a lack of morals. Good moral behavior excludes trolling. It excludes the haughty behavior of the so-called h4×0r. The developer and the expert just need to continue working on their patience and thick skins since, unfortunately, the whole world will not become one of them. In reality only a tiny minority will ever actually make it to that level. For those on the way, that simply means we need to positively reinforce them, even if it’s with a small, off-list thank-you for the help they have provided. The n00bs and neophytes of the world make up a majority of all users out there. There is constantly new software in development and new people trying it out.

Even the Bible is clear on this subject:

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 (NKJV, the RefTagger might display the NIV version, which replaces instruction with discipline).

So it is with computers. Those who love instruction eventually become experts or developers. Those who hate correction are doomed to be n00bs (and even possibly trollish n00bs). Just don’t forget who the source of all knowledge is.

Current Mood:  accomplished

If you were to read the copyright notice of the NIV Bible from Zondervan, you would think it belonged to Zondervan. If you were to read the copyright notice of the Thomas Nelson NKJV, you would think it was Thomas Nelson, Inc. The only Bible I have that doesn’t explicitly give such strict restrictions on its use is the Saint Joseph Edition of The New American Bible (copyright 1970, revised NT copyright 1986), in fact in a preface written by the pope circa 18 September 1970, the language is such as to be implied there be no restriction on its use. Without clear language though, in today’s sue happy, tight-fisted, copyright holding society, how can one be sure?

As a Christian, I find the notion of declaring any such copyright to be antithetical to the very precepts set forth in the document the copyright is being applied to. Christ did not tell the disciples to go forth and be tight-fisted with your teachings, restricting new brethren in what can and cannot be used by them. No, in Matthew 28:18-20 he tells His disciples first that All authority has been given to Him both on heaven and on earth, and that the disciples are to go forth and make disciples of all nations. He concludes that they are to teach them to observe all things that have been commanded to that group of disciples (the one he is sending forth). No where in there does Christ stamp down his copyright on the material. God wants to reach everyone. By making disciples of all nations, those new disciples are to follow in the original disciple’s commission to go forth.

The whole concept of copyright, especially as it is abused today, is about ownership of the work. It has nothing to do with making money or recouping costs (neither of which are outright sinful in and of themselves, if proper focus is maintained). It’s human ego, pure and simple, with perhaps a touch of greed. Current copyright law says that copyright is maintained for life of the owner plus 25 years for an individual, or in the case of corporate ownership, life of the individual plus 99 years.

Really? Yes, really.

So who owns the Word of God? I maintain that God owns his own Word and that it was shared with us via scripture for the express purpose of being freely shared without restriction. Copyright puts on many, many restrictions that, viewed in this light, are extremely antithetical and produce a hindrance that should not be there. Does that man scholars or companies should not be credited with producing accurate, inspired translations? Not at all. They should receive due credit for the work they put in, but if it were not for their God-given skills and abilities, they wouldn’t be able to do it in the first place. If it wasn’t for God speaking through the prophets and apostles and saints (as used in the bible). Who are we to claim His word as our own work?

My response to this is something that has been working in me for a while, and even more so since I came to learn about a policy and frame of mind that has cropped up during the Open Source Revolution. It is the concept of CopyFree. A work that is CopyFree licensed has no restrictions placed on its use with only one request. Proper credit be given. Can money be made with CopyFree licensed works? I argue that yes, it can be. Costs can be recouped and possibly even a profit, for the profit motivated, can be had with CopyFree license. Of course those who put out the best version of a CopyFree work will make the most money. It encourages diligence, hard work, thought (and in this case prayer), and a desire to be as free from flaw as humanly possible (and with God, anything is possible).

So where does that leave us? Right now, holding on to a bible that possibly has such draconian restrictions as how many concurrent verses you can use, how much of the total work can be used, etc without further special and written permission (possibly at the monetary expense of a further license granting a loosening of restrictions). Hindrances! CopyFree gets rid of that hindrance. Even a weak CopyLeft does away with it for the most part.

Many people do not really think about copyright issues when developing materials for spiritual growth, because the prevailing thought is “Who would sue Christians using the Bible to fulfill Christ’s great commission?”

Zondervan would. Thomas Nelson would. In their copyright notices (produced in full below from a scan, text links to full size images) they say as much. What does the copyright notice in your bible say about how you can use that copy of God’s word?

I’m willing to put forth all my limited resources in time, skills and other resources to see a CopyFree bible, translated from the original texts, come to fruition. What are you willing to do to see the removal of all hindrances on using God’s Word?

Zondervan NIV Copyright notice (699KB)
Thomas Nelson NKJV Copyright notice (829KB)

Technorati Tags: copyright

Current Mood:  accomplished

It’s an absolute blessing from God to have any sort of friends. There are plenty of the garden variety, fair weather friends (probably more accurately term acquaintances), but I find it more of a blessing when you have those friends that will do whatever it is in there power to help you when you’re down and out (and sometimes even go beyond that). God chooses are family, but we, if we are following in God’s will, choose people to be our friends not for what we can do for them or they for us, but because we find something that connects them with us that sets them apart from everyone else. We cannot be friends with everyone, much as we might want to be, simply because we cannot devote to the entire world enough time to each individual that they would require from us as friends.

Over time our friends change as we grow older and mature. Our older friends get relegated to acquaintances, while our newer friends start to take more of our time as we get to know them better. Sometimes, we can even find someone with whom we connect on a level that goes much deeper than just friends. Those are our best friends. Most of us are lucky to ever find even one best friend. Those of us truly blessed find two best friends. One of those, hopefully, will become our spouse. The problem I’ve had in all my past relationships was that we weren’t best friends. Sure we said we loved each other and had a strong friendship, but we weren’t best friends. We weren’t willing to put aside those things that were keeping us apart and instead of drawing closer we faded away (sometimes very angrily). It didn’t help that God wasn’t in the relationship. He couldn’t be, really. Until recently I can’t really say I ever was Christian. I was a church-goer. I had a head knowledge of Christ and God. I didn’t have a personal relationship with Him and that’s what it’s all about. I didn’t know how to be a friend and partner at the same time because I wasn’t allowing God to be my friend and partner. I wasn’t allowing Him to show me how I needed to be.

Even now I’m having trouble with that. I think it’s a good thing that He has prevented me from entering into any relationships before I am ready. I still have so much to learn. Do I like being without someone that I can hope to be my spouse someday? Not at all, but there is a lesson to be learned here. I know God has already found a wife for me, someone who will compliment me in the ways I need to be complimented (and what I mean by complimented, is completed, has qualities that I don’t have but need). I just need to let God work in me and show me what it means to be a Godly spouse. I should be a Godly spouse in deed before I am one in name. I am, though, only human. I will continue to stumble and fall, but I will just have to keep on trusting in the Lord to help me up and show me back onto the straight and narrow. There are no stumbling blocks on the path to righteousness except what we ourselves put in our own paths.

Might I have friends without God? What about a spouse?

I hate to say it, but sure you can. People do it all the time. People also get divorced. Last night on WTVF News Channel 5 Nashville, TN, they were bragging about how much lower the divorce rate in Nashville was because of the slow economy. The biggest reason for the slow down? Not because people suddenly got a heart for reconciliation and repentance, although that would have been nice. It wasn’t because they had asked God to bless and heal their marriage. It wasn’t even because people were working things out on their own. It was because they couldn’t afford to get a divorce. In the intervening time it would have been nice if they had accepted Christ not only into their individual lives but asked him to come into their marriage. I’m sure some might have tried that. It would have been nice if they suddenly received a heart for reconciliation and repentance. I’m sure some even felt that they did and tried that, but as soon as the economy started getting better, the divorce rate went up (by the way, the divorce rate changed by less then a percent, by my estimate, seeing as how it only dropped by 200-300 divorces).

Without knowing a thing about their state reasons for divorce, I can tell you the number one reason why they got divorced: They weren’t best friends. Not with each other or with Christ. I’m blessed that God has kept me from marrying, especially when I was so close to doing it. It wasn’t just that I was with the wrong person. It was that I wasn’t with the right person. I didn’t have Christ in my life to intercede with God on my behalf. I didn’t have the friendship with Christ and God that is required of me and I am still working toward that, blessed as I am today, there is still more for me to learn to let go of.

I used to use t he term “friend” loosely. Now I aim to use it with more and more reservation. That doesn’t change the status of those I call friend now, not all of them anyway. There are some who really were acquaintances, and some who were friends. I just ask God to bless me with the discernment to know who my acquaintances are, who my friends are, and who my best friends are.

One day I’ll revisit this topic and perhaps than I’ll be able to tell you that I’ve found my second Earthly best friend. On that day a shout will go up to the Lord praising Him for what He has shown and given me on that day. From today on, I will be praising him at least once a day (if not more) for those friends I have that are truly friends. I will praise him for those who have been in my life, one way or another, because without them my eyes wouldn’t be open to certain realities.

Please pray with me, friends and acquaintances old and new, as I ask God for those blessings that will cause me to be a better man, to be a Godly man and a Godly spouse without a wife. Praise to you, Lord Jesus and God on high, for You are wise and mighty in all Your ways!

Technorati Tags: friends

Current Mood:  cheerful

Today UPS delivered, at least a day early, my copies of The Federalist Papers (by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, published under the pen name Publius), Rights of Man (Thomas Paine) and Common Sense (Thomas Paine). I’m really looking forward to reading through the letters and the books. I think that anyone truly interested in the history of this country, and specifically what the Founders intended the Constitution to be, needs to read The Federalist Papers (I plan on getting the Anti-Federalist Papers as soon as I can). I feel that Common Sense and Rights of Man are both essential literature for the philosophy of the time. Of course one cannot fully understand anything from such a limited scope of reading, but it is a good start. I fully expect even my notions of what the Constitution was meant to be to be blown completely out of the water.

O! ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only tyranny, but the tyrant, stand forth! Every sport of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been haunted round the globe. Asia, and Africa, had long expelled her, Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.
– Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine would be dying of despair if he were alive now, for now even America is treating her like a stranger and the rest of the world, for the most part, has forced her to flee. If ever we needed a renaissance, now would be the time. If ever we needed a return to our roots, now would be the time.

Technorati Tags: books

Another Valentine’s day is nearly upon us. Another day (and month) of love and romance and all that stuff, yet I find myself dreading this one like I’ve dreaded them since my breakup with Amy. It’s not really the day that bothers me. The 14^th is just another day in the month of February. It signifies that we are halfway through with the month.

What bothers me is the whole concept of Valentine’s Day itself (and the extreme commercialism that now surrounds it, like every other holiday). Why only have one day dedicated to romance and love? What is romance anyway? Is it flowers and candy and dinner out at the most expensive place you can afford? What about intimacy, and tenderness, and caring? What about listening and understanding and compassion? What about, for married men, giving your life (or even being willing to give your life) for your spouse if the need ever arose?

How does flowers, candy and an expensive dinner once a year express all those important things?

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia:

The popular customs associated with Saint Valentine’s Day undoubtedly had their origin in a conventional belief generally received in England and France during the Middle Ages, that on 14 February, i.e. half way through the second month of the year, the birds began to pair.

I have no clue when birds begin their mating season, nor do I care to look it up. Leave bird mating habits to the birds, I say. The Encyclopedia goes on to say, however:

For this reason the day was looked upon as specially consecrated to lovers and as a proper occasion for writing love letters and sending lovers’ tokens. Both the French and English literature of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries contain allusions to the practice.

So, because popular belief was that birds began pairing up on that day, it was a good day to write mushy letters and send lovers’ tokens. How about we do stuff like that more then once a year and save Valentine’s Day (if you choose to celebrate it) for an extra-special day of pampering?

Still, either way I’m not celebrating this year and possibly not even next year. I see no need to make a fool of myself, and if I could I would avoid all unnecessary human contact that day. Since it is a Sunday, though, you will still find me at church and my life group. Just don’t expect me to be in “the spirit” of the day. I’d rather be in The Spirit, truth be told.

Current Mood:  annoyed